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LAST week, we spoke about five factors that have led many astray. Among these were weariness, aimlessness, fainting, scattering and distress. We said many sheep are scattered because they have no shepherd, and hence don’’t belong to any family or grouping. If you are led by the Holy Spirit, you will definitely hear God telling you to belong or be part of some larger body.
You are truly part or member of the church if you attend Sunday Services and other meetings like prayer, conferences and ladies or men’s meetings regularly. You have a shepherd, whom you are accountable to.
You pay your tithes and give your offerings to that part of the body. You adhere to the teachings of that local assembly. You love and respect the leadership of that assembly.
You are open to correction and discipline from the leadership of that assembly. You regard other members of that particular assembly as your close brothers and sisters. Today, we discuss what it means for sheep to have no shepherd.
Confusion
When you have been a Christian for some time, confusion will become one of your dreaded enemies. During times of confusion, you will ask the question, “Is this right or wrong?” When you are affected by the spirit of confusion, you will grapple with what I call “grey areas”.
You will wrestle with issues which are not clearly spelt out in the Bible.
You will be uncertain of yourself and need great faith to proceed.
Indeed, at such times of confusion a shepherd’s direction would be the most calming and reassuring thing you could have. You will understand what I am talking about when you get to that stage.
Matthew 9 vs 36, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”
Your confusion is perpetuated by your separation from your shepherd.
Because Israel sinned, they were perpetually separated from the Lord and this created even more confusion for them. Daniel said, “… to us belong confusion of faces because we have sinned.”
Daniel 9 vs 7-8,7, “O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame (confusion) of face, as it is this day-to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You. 8, “O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You”.
What it means for the sheep to have no shepherd.
1. Aimlessness
People are aimless and without direction when there is no shepherd to lead them out and bring them in.
Numbers 27 vs 15-17, 15, “Then Moses spoke to the LORD, saying: 16, ‘Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, 17, “who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep which have no shepherd.”
2. Division
People are divided and without a family when there is no shepherd.
1 Kings 22 vs 17, “Then he said, ‘I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘’These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.’’”
3. Weakness and Disease
People are diseased and weakened without a shepherd.
Ezekiel 34 vs 4-6, 4, “The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. 5, “So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. 6, “My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole faceof the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them.”
4. Unsolved troubles
People have a lot of unsolved troubles when there is no shepherd.
Zechariah 10 vs 2, “For the idols speak delusion; The diviners envision lies, And tell false dreams; They comfort in vain. Therefore the people wend their way like sheep; They are in trouble because there is no shepherd.”
5. Destruction of young people
The little ones and the young ones are most affected by the absence of a shepherd. Zechariah 13 vs 7, “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is My Companion,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones”.
6. Lack and shortage
People’s needs are not met when there is no shepherd. Psalm 23 vs 1, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want”.
7. Going off course
Sheep need direction to stay on the course of prosperity and blessing for their lives. Sheep receive much direction for their lives through shepherds.
Psalm 77 sv 20, “You led Your people like a flock By the hand of Moses and Aaron”.
Psalm 80 vs 1, “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth! Sheep need to dwell in the House of the Lord. There is a big difference between sheep who are cared for by a good shepherd and those who areunder the care of a wicked and uncaring shepherd”.
Psalm 23 vs 1-6, 1 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2, He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3, He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’’s sake. 4, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5,You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6, Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever”.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter